Water Management Plan for Jersey 2017-2021

Information about the publication of Ministerial Decisions

A formal published “Ministerial Decision” is required as a record of the decision of a Minister (or an Assistant Minister where they have delegated authority) as they exercise their responsibilities and powers.

Ministers are elected by the States Assembly and have legal responsibilities and powers as “corporation sole” under the States of Jersey Law 2005 by virtue of their office and in their areas of responsibility, including entering into agreements, and under any legislation conferring on them powers.

An accurate record of “Ministerial Decisions” is vital to effective governance, including:

demonstrating that good governance, and clear lines of accountability and authority, are in place around decisions-making – including the reasons and basis on which a decision is made, and the action required to implement a decision
providing a record of decisions and actions that will be available for examination by States Members, and Panels and Committees of the States Assembly; the public, organisations, and the media; and as a historical record and point of reference for the conduct of public affairs

Ministers are individually accountable to the States Assembly, including for the actions of the departments and agencies which discharge their responsibilities.

The Freedom of Information Law (Jersey) Law 2011 is used as a guide when determining what information is be published. While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.

A decision made on 2 December 2016:

Decision Reference: MD-PE-2016-0156
Decision Summary Title :	Approval of the Water Management Plan for Jersey 2017-2021		Date of Decision Summary:	1/12/2016
Decision Summary Author:	Director – Environmental Protection		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:
Written Report Title :	The Water Management Plan for Jersey 2017-2021		Date of Written Report:	30/11/2016
Written Report Author:	Water Resource Management and Regulation Officer		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Approval by the Minister for the Environment of the Water Management Plan for Jersey 2017-2021
Decision(s): The Minister for the Environment approved the Water Management Plan for Jersey 2017-2021.
Reason(s) for Decision: The Water Management Plan for Jersey 2017-2021 sets out a plan to assess, manage and improve Jersey’s water resources effectively.
Resource Implications: Nil for 2017. Preparatory work of the Water Plan can be achieved using in-house resources. Funding has already been prioritised within the Department of the Environment and work has started on law drafting and other preparatory work. From 2018, additional money is required to ensure that the new legislation is compliance checked and enforced and that behaviour change in the target group is widespread enough to effect the necessary improvement in water quality. The Plan is being delivered in parallel with the new Rural Economy Strategy (which contains recommendations for on-farm compliance audits) and alongside the voluntary measures currently proposed by the farming industry. The effectiveness of these two initiatives will be assessed so that any additional funding for the Plan can be optimally targeted.
Action required: Director of Environmental Protection to implement the plan. Request the Greffier of the States to arrange for the report to be presented to the States at the earliest opportunity
Signature:		Position: Minister for the Environment
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):